My prediction is that the WACA will continue even further down the path of mediocrity that it has taken this past decade. It will be a flat, flat, flat wicket, with those massive cracks opening up late in the test to provide imbalance between batting and bowling sides.

But, wouldn't it be great to see the WACA back to it's bouncy best of decades past, just for it's last hurrah? Especially given the state of play and teams atm....

GarlicJam wrote:My prediction is that the WACA will continue even further down the path of mediocrity that it has taken this past decade. It will be a flat, flat, flat wicket, with those massive cracks opening up late in the test to provide imbalance between batting and bowling sides.

But, wouldn't it be great to see the WACA back to it's bouncy best of decades past, just for it's last hurrah? Especially given the state of play and teams atm....

It is just to early in the season now for the Waca. I think its a shame as well. I grew up watching the Windies destroy Australia at the Waca. And now when Australia has some great fast bowlers, we can never get to see them on a pitch like the Waca of old.

only 4 Away Test wins in the last 5 yrs for England.England only won 4 games out of 20 since 2013.3rd worst record away from home from all teams.Most Away wins goes to Australia with India having the best win/loss ratio.http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/ ... s-problems

yeah it seems they did say something personal to Bairstow, Willis basically named him as one of the players that been affected by personal sledging.yet again ICC can't do the same policy throughout all the series, couple of years ago sledging was barred, Send off etc and ICC were strict with the sledging, yet they are now allowing personal sledging in the Ashes where generally the ICC are more strict on the sledging or expecting a tough series to manage just like India vs Australia or India vs England.

would have thought umpires would be more proactive in stopping personal or not needed sledging in the Ashes considering everyone expects this series to be quite heated.

Its interesting that Bairstow claims the second test was played in good spirits and fair, but you could see the England players had targeted Smith for some special sledging, and Broads send off Handscomb was not the prettiest.

It seems like England once again seem to complain when receiving the sledging, but call it fair and tough when they give it. I mean the cricketing world felt real pity for Jimmy Anderson when he complained about it.

There has been no information that Bairstow was targeted with anything other than his way of greeting people. This talk about possible sledging about his father has come after the incident in Adelaide with the fan returning those signed gloves. It was never mentioned before this. Undoubtedly it will be held against the Australians even though there is no proof, and England will once again be the victims of some nasty Australian sledging.